Collification - February 14th, 2007

Sometimes words can escape you and you find yourself lost for what to say. Other times, other's words are put together so perfectly that they are exactly what you wish to say in someone else's writing. This is the case for me today, when I am far from my own Valentine and at a loss of how to express my love for him. It is times like this that I turn to the poets of our past, one in specific who has summed up how I feel into a beautiful bit of prose;

Sonnet

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, with my childhood's faith;
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, - I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! - and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning